Rybakina puts the US Open in serious doubt: "Walking causes me pain"
The Kazakh athlete spoke out after withdrawing from Cincinnati and admitted that the problem with her Achilles has been ongoing, leaving her presence at the US Open up in the air.
Complicated times are ahead for one of the top contenders for the number one spot in the WTA circuit. Physical complaints have emerged at the worst possible time of the year for Elena Rybakina, who was just a couple of matches away from rising to the top of the ranking... and now sees that the chances of missing the US Open 2026 are truly significant.
To the public, everything seemed to happen in an instant: a wrong turn during her match in the quarterfinals of the WTA Cincinnati 2026 against Iga Swiatek, and thus a precautionary withdrawal, without forcing the issue, to ensure her presence in New York. Internally, the Kazakh player confirmed that this issue has been ongoing, brewing in previous tournaments... and it may be harder to manage than the tennis public imagined.
Is the US Open at risk for Rybakina? The statements are not encouraging
In comments to the WTA, Elena was candid in explaining where these issues are coming from: it appears to be localized in the Achilles, although this has not been confirmed by her. What she has emphasized is that she has been suffering from these complaints "for quite some time", and she had them under control until the last North American hard court swing. The accumulation of matches in Canada and the minimal rest between them due to bad weather have seemingly dealt the final blow, making the injury now unbearable.
Jelena Rybakina przekazała pierwsze wieści na temat stanu swojego zdrowia 🚨
- Oczywiście teraz nie czuję się najlepiej, nie mogłam nawet odbić piłki przy serwisie. Chodzenie sprawia mi ból. Więcej będziemy wiedzieli jutro, kiedy zrobię rezonans magnetyczny. Dręczyło mnie to od… https://t.co/L40kPLsMoS pic.twitter.com/D92D3iwXyt— Z kortu - informacje tenisowe (@z_kortu) August 21, 2026
"Right now I can't say that I feel good; I could hardly push off to serve. Walking right now is very painful: tomorrow, when I undergo several tests, we will know with more certainty what is happening. This is something that has been bothering me for some time. It was under control, but after playing many matches in Canada and arriving in Cincinnati and playing two consecutive matches, it has worsened. The match against Magdalena (Frech), which was constantly interrupted by rain, that's when I started to feel it the most, and then I decided to take a full day of rest. I was feeling fine before this last match, but one wrong move, one bad landing, and I felt that something happened", Elena explained after her fall against Swiatek.
These are worrying news not only for Rybakina but also for women's tennis: the race for number one, with the possibility of Jessica Pegula joining the party if she conquers Cincinnati, promised to be one of the biggest draws of the upcoming US Open. The only race we have now, however, is the race against time that the Kazakh will undergo in search of answers, with a major goal in mind: to arrive physically prepared in New York. Uncertainty, concern... and one wish: a speedy recovery to challenge Sabalenka for the throne of the circuit in the Big Apple. Will she succeed?
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rybakina pone el US Open en seria duda: "Caminar me genera dolor"